Molecular monitoring of African swine fever virus using surveys targeted at adult ornithodoros ticks: a re-evaluation of Mkuze game reserve, South Africa

The Mkuze Game Reserve (MGR), in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa is an African swine fever virus (ASF) controlled area. In a survey conducted in 1978, ASF prevalence in warthogs and Ornithodoros ticks in MGR was determined to be 2% and 0.06%, respectively. These values, acknowledged as being unusually low compared to other East and southern African ASF-positive sylvatic-cycle host populations, have not been assessed since. The availability of a sensitive PCR-based virus detection method, developed specifically for the sylvatic tampan host, prompted a re-evaluation of ASF virus (ASFV) prevalence in MGR ticks. Of the 98 warthog burrows inspected for Ornithodoros presence, 59 (60.2%) were found to contain tampans and tick sampling was significantly male-biased. Whilst gender sampling-bias is not unusual, the 27% increase in infestation rate of warthog burrows since the 1978 survey is noteworthy as it anticipates a concomitant increase in ASFV prevalence, particularly in light of the high proportion (75%) of adult ticks sampled. However, despite DNA integrity being confirmed by internal control amplification of the host 16S gene, PCR screening failed to detect ASFV. These results suggest that ASFV has either disappeared from MGR or if present, is localized, occurring at exceptionally low levels. Further extensive surveys are required to establish the ASFV status of sylvatic hosts in this controlled area.     

Pathogenesis of African swine fever virus in Ornithodoros ticks

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the only known DNA arbovirus and the sole member of the family Asfarviridae. It causes a lethal, hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs. ASFV is enzootic in sub-Saharan Africa and is maintained in a sylvatic cycle by infecting both wild members of the Suidae (e.g. warthogs) and the argasid tick Ornithodoros porcinus porcinus. The pathogenesis of ASFV in O. porcinus porcinus ticks is characterized by a low infectious dose, lifelong infection, efficient transmission to both pigs and ticks, and low mortality until after the first oviposition. ASFV pathogenesis in warthogs is characterized by an inapparent infection with transient, low viremic titers. Thus O. porcinus porcinus ticks probably constitute the most important natural vector of ASFV, although both the mammalian and tick hosts are probably required for the maintenance of ASFV in the sylvatic cycle. The mechanism of ASFV transmission from the sylvatic cycle to domestic pigs is probably through infected ticks feeding on pigs. In addition to O. porcinus porcinus, a number of North American, Central American and Caribbean species of Ornithodoros have been shown to be potential vectors of ASFV.     

Molecular characterization of African swine fever virus from domestic pigs in northern Tanzania during an outbreak in 2013

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, highly contagious and deadly viral hemorrhagic fever of domestic pigs caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), a double-stranded DNA virus of the family Asfarviridae. In this study, molecular diagnosis and characterization of outbreak ASFV in northern Tanzania, was performed on spleen, lymph node, kidney, and heart samples collected in June and July 2013 from domestic pigs that died during a hemorrhagic disease outbreak. Confirmatory diagnosis of ASF was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by partial amplification of B646L gene of ASFV encoding the major capsid protein p72 using PPA1/PPA2 primers. PCR using PPA1/PPA2 primers produced an expected PCR product size, confirming ASF outbreak in northern Tanzania. In addition, nucleotide amplification and sequencing, and phylogenetic reconstruction of the variable 3′-end of the B646L gene and complete E183L gene encoding the inner envelope transmembrane protein p54 showed that the 2013 outbreak ASFV from northern Tanzania were 100 % identical and clustered into ASFV B646L (p72) and E183L (p54) genotype X. Furthermore, the tetrameric amino acid repeats within the central variable region (CVR) of the B602L gene coding for the J9L protein had the signature BNBA(BN)₅NA with a single novel tetramer NVDI (repeat code N). The results of the present study confirm an ASF outbreak in northern Tanzania in the year 2013 and show that the present outbreak ASFV is closely related to other ASFV from ticks, warthogs, and domestic pigs previously reported from Tanzania.     

非洲猪瘟病毒的分子病原学及致病机理研究进展

非洲猪瘟（African swine fever,ASF）是由非洲猪瘟病毒（African swine fever virus,ASFV）引起的一种烈性传染病,具有急性、高热、高病死率等特征,主要暴发于非洲、东欧国家、俄罗斯及高加索地区。目前,该病缺乏有效的疫苗和治疗方法,给病情爆发地区的养猪业造成严重的影响。ASFV的主要靶细胞是网状内皮细胞和单核-巨噬细胞,造成细胞凋亡,影响宿主的免疫系统,进而表现出相应的疫病特征。ASFV具有基因组较大、基因型较多且易变异等特征。文章主要从分子病原学和致病机理方面对ASFV的研究情况进行综述,为ASF的防控提供理论依据。     

Research Progress on Molecular Etiology and Pathogenesis for African Swine Fever Virus

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), characterized by acute feature, high fever, high mortality and other characteristics. ASF mainly outbreaks in African, Eastern Europe countries, Russia and Caucasus region. At present, there are no vaccine available and effective control strategies against ASFV spread, therefore, ASF has a serious impact on the pig industry in the affected countries. The major target cells of the virus are swine reticuloendothelial cells and monocyte-macrophage cells. ASFV can result in apoptosis and affect the host's immune system, and then show the characteristics of the corresponding disease. ASFV has the characteristics of large genome, more genotype and more variability. In this paper, the molecular etiology and pathogenesis of ASFV are reviewed, so as to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control of ASF.     

非洲猪瘟病毒免疫及基因工程疫苗研究进展

非洲猪瘟（African swine fever,ASF）是由非洲猪瘟病毒（African swine fever virus,ASFV）引起家猪的一种急性、出血性、高度接触性蜱传病毒病,可致家猪网状内皮系统出血及高死亡率,是危害世界养猪业健康发展最严重的传染病之一。ASFV是一种大型的DNA病毒,结构复杂,其基因组编码大量蛋白。该论文介绍了ASFV的特性,免疫应答机制如免疫逃逸、体液免疫和细胞免疫,以及基因工程疫苗如减毒活疫苗、亚单位疫苗、病毒载体活疫苗及DNA疫苗研究的最新进展,并对中国ASF的疫苗研制、防控进行了展望。     

提高生物安全措施是养猪场防控非洲猪瘟的关键

非洲猪瘟(African Swine Fever, ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African Swine fever Virus, ASFV)引起的一种急性、烈性、高度接触性的传染病,其发病率高,死亡率可高达100%。世界动物卫生组织(OIE)将其列为必须报告动物疫病,我国将其列为一类动物疫病。由于目前并没有安全有效的疫苗,防控ASF最有效的方法是实行早期诊断、扑杀和严格的封锁隔离措施,针对养猪场则需要高度重视生物安全防控措施。根据非洲猪瘟的流行病学特征,简要综述了养猪场如何通过建立良好的生物安全屏障、切断可能传播途径、有效消毒降低潜在病原等重要措施来防控非洲猪瘟。     

African swine fever virus infection of the bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus) and its significance in the epidemiology of the disease

Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) and bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus) are known to be susceptible to infection with African swine fever (ASF) virus. Little however, is known about the ecology of the disease in the bushpig. This study has shown that the bushpig remains viraemic for between 35 and 91 days following infection during which time it is able to infect the tick vector O. moubata. These ticks were able to transmit the disease to pigs. The virus persists in the lymphatic tissues for less than 34 weeks. Bushpigs infected with LIL 20/1 virus but not VIC T90/1 virus transmitted infection to in-contact pigs. Infected domestic pigs did not transmit the infection to in-contact bushpigs. ASF virus was able to replicate in in vitro cultures of bushpig leucocytes and endothelial cells. Recovered bushpigs could be re-infected with some strains of virus but not others. While it has been demonstrated that bushpigs remain carriers of ASFV following infection a complete understanding of their significance in the epidemiology of the disease awaits further investigations of their association with O. moubata.     

非洲猪瘟病毒入胞过程相关蛋白及分子机制的研究进展

非洲猪瘟病毒(ASFV)是非洲猪瘟(ASF)的病原,可引发家猪和野猪急性、传染性出血死亡,目前尚无有效的疫苗和抗病毒药物。ASFV是囊膜病毒,其囊膜蛋白的结构和功能可能是影响病毒入侵和细胞嗜性的重要因素。病毒入胞是病毒感染细胞的第一步,通常是通过细胞表面特定的分子与病毒蛋白相结合吸附于宿主细胞表面,对ASFV入胞过程的病毒蛋白或宿主因子为靶点或可有效抑制ASFV的复制。本文从ASFV入胞过程中起重要作用的囊膜蛋白出发,对ASFV的入胞分子机制进行综述,为ASFV入胞深入研究以及治疗性药物和疫苗的研发提供参考。     

Prevalence of African swine fever virus and classical swine fever virus antibodies in pigs in Benue State,Nigeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study investigated the prevalence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) antibodies in pigs in Benue State, Nigeria....     

非洲猪瘟的诊断方法及防控措施

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fevervirus,ASFV)引起家猪或野猪的一种急性、烈性、高度接触性传染病。临床上以不明原因死亡、高热、网状内皮系统出血及脾肿大且质脆为主要特征。该病的致死率最高可达100%,是一种传播速度极快、危害性极强的传染病。就非洲猪瘟的流行病学、实验室诊断方法及防控措施进行综述,以期为非洲猪瘟综合防控提供参考。     

非洲猪瘟病毒与宿主细胞相互作用研究进展

非洲猪瘟(ASF)自2018年8月在我国暴发,对养猪业构成巨大威胁.该病是由非洲猪瘟病毒(ASFV)引起的家养猪高热、急性和高死亡率的出血症和淋巴组织坏死症;认识和了解病原ASFV与宿主的相互作用是理解致病机制的基础和疫病防控的前提.本文对ASFV与宿主细胞受体和内体系统的互作、基因转录和蛋白合成系统的互作、细胞凋亡和内质网应激系统的互作、天然免疫干扰素应答系统的互作、抗原递呈细胞的互作五个方面现有研究进展进行综述;并试图在此基础上理解ASFV的免疫保护和免疫逃逸作用,思考ASFV与宿主互作中需要回答的问题,为研制保护性疫苗和深入认识ASF致病机制提供线索.     

非洲猪瘟血清学诊断靶点的研究进展

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是一种由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)引起的猪高致死性传染病.ASFV编码蛋白p30、p54和p72等具有较高的免疫原性,且部分氨基酸序列较为保守,常被作为血清学诊断靶点,用于评价ASF不同阶段或发病程度的抗体水平变...     

Research Progress on Epidemiology of African Swine Fever

African swine fever (ASF) is mainly occurred in Africa.It invades into Europe and America by chance,then invades in to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus area.And it has not been controlled until now.African swine fever virus (ASFV) can spread by soft tick vectors and affect wild and domestic pigs.The ability of the virus to survive within a particular ecosystem is defined by the ecology of its wild host populations and the characteristics of livestock production systems.African swine fever is viral disease of domestic and wild pigs which leads high mortality and causes great economic losses due to absence of available vaccine and treatment.Apart from prevention and culling,there are no other control measures.Prevention and control of the infection require good understanding of its epidemiology,so that targeted measures can be carried out.     

非洲猪瘟研究进展及防控措施

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒科、非洲猪瘟病毒属的唯一成员非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)引起的一种高致死率、高抵抗力、严格接触性的病毒性疾病,对所有年龄段的家猪和野猪均具有感染性。我国非洲猪瘟传入疫情的出现,对养猪生产构成严重威胁,必将冲击生猪产业的健康稳定发展。本文介绍ASF的病原、流行病学特点,并总结防控措施,以期为ASF的进一步防控提供参考。     

Potential arthropod vectors of African swine fever virus in North America and the Caribbean basin

In an effort to identify arthropods that might serve as vectors and perhaps reservoirs of African swine fever virus (ASFV) if it were to enter the U.S.A., the blood-sucking insect Triatoma gerstaeckeri and four species of ticks of the genus Ornithodoros were established in colonies capable of reproducing in numbers sufficient to enable thorough studies to be made of their ASFV vector potentials. A nymphal stage of T. gerstaeckeri carried the virus for 41 days and retained it through one molt, but was unable to transmit it to susceptible pigs. Studies on O. coriaceus revealed that the species is able to harbor and transmit the virus for greater than 440 days, passing it trans-stadially from the first nymphal stage to the adult, sustaining it through at least four molts. Trans-ovarial passage was not demonstrated and nearly 40% of the ticks died, apparently, of the ASFV infection. O. turicata collected in Florida was also found to be capable of becoming infected with ASFV and transmitting it by bite to susceptible pigs. O. puertoricensis collected during the ASF eradication programs in the Dominican Republic and Haiti was not only readily infected experimentally, but it was also able to transmit the virus trans-stadially and trans-ovarially. However, ASFV was not isolated from any of the 350 O. puertoricensis collected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. O. parkeri from a long-established laboratory colony were able to carry the virus through at least one molt, but they were unable to transmit it to susceptible pigs.     

In vitro and in vivo association of African swine fever virus with swine erythrocytes

The association of African swine fever virus (ASFV) with swine erythrocytes in vivo, in high titers, was verified by inoculating 30 pigs with 17 ASFV isolates and assaying their plasma and washed erythrocyte fractions for residual virus. Viral antigens were specifically localized on the surface of in vitro and in vivo swine erythrocytes, using the fluorescent antibody technique and 3 monoclonal antibodies specific for ASFV. The same monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated virus-specific polypeptides of molecular weights 13 kd and 73 kd from ASFV-infected Vero cells. Erythrocytes from viremic swine infected with Lisbon-60, Dominican Republic, Badajoz-M98, or Cameroon isolates of ASFV were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Virus was found in membrane depressions at the surface of erythrocytes. These surface depressions resembled stages of smooth surfaced pits. Erythrocytes from viremic pigs were fragile osmotically.     

非洲猪瘟紧急预防控制技术需求

非洲猪瘟是原发于非洲肯尼亚的猪的一种重要病毒性传染病,2018年8月3日首次发生于我国沈阳。该病来势凶猛,截至10月16日,已在我国9个省份引发39次疫情。我国非常重视非洲猪瘟防控工作,具备了较好的科技储备,但疫情形势发展超乎预期,出现许多始料未及的情况,仍需要重新梳理防控技术需求,针对性地开展防控技术研究。就此,简要介绍了非洲猪瘟的特性,归纳了我国目前非洲猪瘟防控技术需求,建议深入开展快速特异诊断技术、流行病学、病原学等急需技术研究,开展野猪和软蜱传播媒介与非洲猪瘟流行关系和非洲猪瘟免疫与疫苗等基础研究。     

Interferon status and white blood cells during infection with African swine fever virus in vivo

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of African swine fever that is the significant disease of domestic pigs, with high rates of mortality. ASFV is double-stranded DNA virus whose genes encode some proteins that are implicated in the suppression of host immune response. In this study, we have modeled in vivo infection of ASFV for determination of interferon (IFN) status in infected pigs. We measured the level of IFN-α, -β and -γ by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and showed that the level of IFN-α sharply decreased during infection. Unlike IFN-α, the level of IFN-β and -γ increased from the 2nd and 4th days post-infection, respectively. Also, we analyzed the population dynamics of peripheral white blood cells of infected pigs due to their important role in host immune system. We showed that the atypical lymphocytes appeared after short time of infection and this result is in accordance with our previous study done in vitro. At the last day of infection about 50% of the total white blood cells were destroyed, and the remaining cells were represented mainly by small-sized lymphocytes, reactive lymphocytes and lymphoblasts.     

Experimental transmission of African swine fever virus by Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin)

The 'sand tampan', Ornithodoros savignyi, is susceptible to oral infection with African swine fever (ASF) virus in the laboratory. Infected ticks can transmit the virus transstadially and are able to maintain it for at least 106 days. Transmission of ASF virus by infected ticks to healthy pigs was achieved on five separate occasions between 50 and 106 days after infection. Pigs infected in this way developed typical acute African swine fever. The distribution of O savignyi in Africa suggests that this tick could be a natural field vector of ASF.